SAN BRUNO, Calif., Aug. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- While President Bush's decision
was welcomed by some and denounced by others, Cord Blood Registry, the world's
largest umbilical cord blood bank, is pleased that he has confirmed his
recognition of the value of alternative stem cell sources, such as umbilical
cord blood. In the wake of the stem cell debate, the Registry reports the
highest volume of new enrollments and inquires from expectant parents
interested in preserving their baby's cord blood stem cells for possible use
in the future.
"The controversy over funding for embryonic stem cell research on Capitol
Hill has created an amazing level of awareness about the power and value of
stem cells," says Stephen Grant, Vice President of Communications for the
Registry. "President Bush's recognition of cord blood as a promising source of
stem cells will serve as a catalyst to advance the medical applications and
treatments for injuries and disease in the future. His decision creates
greater value to our banking services."
Since stem cells from cord blood are non-controversial and do not involve
embryos, it has surfaced as an attractive source of stem cells for research
and clinical applications. Like embryos, cord blood contains primitive stem
cells that give rise to the blood and immune system, and are also capable of
differentiating into the other tissues.
Saving stem cells from cord blood is nothing new. For the past ten years,
doctors have been successfully using cord blood stem cells to treat a variety
of cancers and other blood disorders. Only recently, researchers have
discovered that these stem cells may also be a key component in regenerative
medicine. Family banking of cord blood stem cells ensures that an individual
will have access to their own, genetically unique cells that pose no risk of
rejection or incompatibility.
"With $250 million in federal funds marked specifically for non-embryonic
stem cell research in the next year, the applications for cord blood are
likely to increase even more," says Grant.
Cbr Systems, Inc., offers cutting-edge health care technologies for
expectant parents and newborns through Cord Blood Registry, the world's
largest and most experienced family cord blood stem cell bank with more than
30,000 samples in storage, and NewScreen(TM), the most advanced newborn
screening available. More information is available at http://www.cordblood.com
or by calling toll-free 888-CORD BLOOD.
CONTACT: Sam Yoo, +1-800-588-6377, Ext. 239, or syoo@cordblood.com, or
Amy Seirer, +1-800-588-6377, Ext. 303, or aseirer@cordblood.com, both of Cbr
Systems, Inc.
SOURCE Cbr Systems, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.cordblood.com
CONTACT:
Sam Yoo, +1-800-588-6377, Ext. 239,
syoo@cordblood.com, or Amy Seirer, +1-800-588-6377, Ext. 303, or
aseirer@cordblood.com, both of Cbr Systems, Inc.
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